Song of the Day: The Districts – Ordinary Day

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unrealeased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Ordinary Day”, a 2017 single by The Districts from the upcoming 2017 album, Popular Manipulations, due August 11th on Fat Possum Records.

The Districts – Ordinary Day (MP3)The Districts started as a high school band in the small town of Lititz Pennsylvania in 2009, but truly came into their own with 2015’s A Flourish And a Spoil. The album found the group mastering their catchy, soulful rock with the spirit of a punk band, and the consequent touring spell cemented them in the hearts of all who witnessed the four-piece in action. The group brings a rare energy to everything they touch, whether it is in the form of a hushed-harmonica backed tune or a raging rock song escalating in lead man Rob Grote’s rasping howls. The balance-through-variety they are capable of always keeps you on your toes, so it is no surprise that their upcoming 2017 album Popular Manipulations, hosts a single that finds The Districts venturing new ground, with the same raw energy of past projects.

Song of the day and single “Ordinary Day” finds Grote singing in a lower key than usual. It is jarring at first, but as his isolated vocals give way to a sweeping guitar riff, and Grote releases a chorus brimming with emotional energy, the track feels and sounds like The Districts in all the right ways. The song also features synth elements, which is another new look for the band, but it does not jeopardize the rawness that has always been a hallmark of the group. Instead it compliments the potential energy of the bridge, allowing the always powerful chorus of a The District’s song to hit with a little more oomph. The song was inspired by the feeling of personal alienation, framing a bitter-sweet irony in the fact that The Districts have always written songs in a way that inspires personal connection with their music.

You can catch The Districts in Seattle at The Tractor Tavern on July 7th. In the meantime, keep up with the band on their website and Facebook and check out the official video for “Ordinary Day” below: